If you have crooked teeth and are considering treatment options, you may want to look at invisible aligners or Invisalign. They are orthodontic trays used to straighten teeth. However, you may question its effectiveness.

History

Braces have been in use since the1900s, whereas invisible aligners, or Invisalign, weren’t known until the 2000s. Though a century apart, they both have the same goal: to straighten crooked and crowded teeth.

The Difference

Braces are typically made of metal and are available in colour silver, but there are also other colours. They are irremovable and may need 24/7 treatment time in a span of two or more years. They need to be brushed regularly for maintenance. Follow-up visits to the dentist should be done once a month.

Invisalign, on the other hand, is clear-coloured or invisible to the eyes. It can be removed before eating. For maintenance, you need to have a brushing or rinsing tray to clean your Invisalign. Treatment time varies between 22 and 24 hours a day in a span of 6 to 18 months, or more. It needs to be changed every 2 weeks. Follow-up visits to the dentist should be every 4 to 6 weeks.

Pros and Cons

Braces are more effective if you have a complex dental issue at hand. This is probably because you have no option of removing them from time to time. You only have to brush and floss your teeth to keep your braces clean. However, they can be painful, may cause tooth breakage, and you may have difficulty eating.

With Invisalign, on the other hand, you’ll have no problems of food getting caught in wires, so there’s no difficulty in eating. You’ll also experience no pain or sores. However, you may have to brush your teeth before wearing your trays again after meals.

Clearly, based on this comparison, you need to consult a notable dentist to know the best treatment option for your crooked teeth.